The recent case of the restaurant manager of Amici restaurant being killed by a Jet Airways pilot at Khan market, New Delhi in a fit of road rage is tragic but not shocking. Not shocking because it is a new piece of evidence that people in New Delhi are growing more aggressive and intolerant by the day. What is it that is causing this? Is it the overall aura of corruption and negativity in our city and our nation at large? Is it because of the weakening social bonds in our society that has become prone to selfishness and greed? One can endlessly debate the reasons behind this and similar cases of road rage, murders, fights, rapes, blueline bus deaths and so on that is plaguing our city. But it is time that we start thinking about solutions. What is the solution to this menace?
For one, we need a complete overhaul on our ideas of civic duty and sense. We need to get out of this mental attitude that it is "me first". We need to learn that corruption and selfishness and aggression is neither cool nor productive. We need to became more respectful of the law and public order. Each and every one of us needs to get more involved in public affairs in order to weed out rogue elements that have slithered their way into high offices. We need to put pressure on our city and state governments to improve infrastructure in our city state. If there was an ample place to park and negotiate a vehicle in Khan market, perhaps Rajiv Jolly Wilson would have been alive today. If the parties concerned (including the late Mr. Wilson) were more tolerant, things would not have spiraled out of control. There are many other 'what-if' scenarios that one can keep endlessly talking about.
The crux of the matter is this - you have power! The question is how do you intend to use it? Are you going to be a passive spectator and allow things to happen in any which way they can? Or are you going to rise up and do your bit to put pressure on our government to do something about this? Think about what kind of city state you want your child to grow up in and then extend that thought and ask what kind of nation and world you want your child to grow up in.
Use your power. Write and meet your local representatives and insist that they produce results. Use the Internet, Facebook, Twitter, Blogger, etc. for things more important than just commenting on photos or aimlessly playing video games. Use your power. Use your life. Spread peace, love and tolerance.
